Josh Speidel

Shortly after committing to play basketball for the University of Vermont, Josh was in a horrific car crash that left him in a coma for five weeks. Doctors expected him eventually to read at no higher than a fourth-grade level and to require assisted-living care the rest of his life.
Josh and his family, however, aimed higher, focusing one day at a time for five years on intense rehab. Vermont coach John Becker showed his faith in Josh by keeping him on scholarship. The perseverance and goodwill paid off, when Josh graduated with a 3.4 GPA. And on Senior Night in March, he suited up for the first time, starting for the Catamounts versus Albany. Becker and Albany coach Will Brown agreed to allow Josh to attempt a layup on Vermont’s first possession, which he nailed. The first and only points of his college career earned Josh a standing ovation and served as a platform from which to share his story of patience, dedication and resilience.